Curated OER
Perpetual Motion
Students are introduced to the concept of Energy Conservation with the example of: Tony Hawk seems to defy the conservation of energy as he keeps reaching new heights on each pass on the halk-pipe. Actually, Tony is supplying the extra...
Curated OER
Good Vibrations: Building a Wave Model
Students assess and apply recurring patterns in natural systems. They evaluate the wave properties of frequency, wavelength, and speed as applied to sound. Students develop a relationship to quantify aspects of wave motion. They predict...
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students explore the physical properties of water. In this water instructional activity, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. There are 2 extensions for this instructional activity that one can access...
Curated OER
It's Time to Make Time!
Students explore the evolution of time measurement, and explain the relationship of sunrise/sunset to length of daylight. They collect data and calculations to determine length of daylight during a given day.
Curated OER
What To Do After The Hands-Are-On
Students perform various demonstrations for each of Newton's Laws, collect data, and write a conclusion for each.
Curated OER
Energy
Students distinguish between kinetic an potential energy. They recognize that energy is conserved when changing from one form to another. Students compare the scientific meaning of work with its everyday meaning.
Curated OER
Acceleration and You
Students discuss and view examples of acceleration. They work together to determine acceleration rates in two ways. They analyze their data and discuss.
Curated OER
Wave Equations
Pupils manipulate a model of a wave in order to solve the wave equation in 1 dimension. By using a model of a wave on a string the student is able to change the tension, length, and mass of the string as well as fix either end of the...
Curated OER
Kinetic Vs. Potential Energy
Eighth graders listen to a teacher lecture and observe a demonstration of both potential energy and stored energy. After discussing the characteristics and examples of different types of energy, 8th graders make predictions and then...
Curated OER
Wave Motion
Students observe and identify various waves. In this wave motion lesson, student use a Slinky, noise, people, and musical instruments to create waves and observe how each type of wave moves.
Curated OER
Harmonic Motion Equations
In this harmonic motion activity, students use the equations for the speed of a wave and speed of sound to complete 9 problems and 9 fill in the blank questions.
Curated OER
Simple Harmonic Motion
Students explain the theory of simple harmonic motion (SHM) by performing hands-on, practical application experiments.
Curated OER
Simple Harmonic Motion
Young scholars study harmonic motion and its oscillation. In this simple harmonic motion instructional activity students demonstrate a series of regular oscillations and explain the theory behind the experiment.
Curated OER
Time That Period!
Students analyze data received from high-energy satellites of various binary star systems' orbital periods or stellar rotation periods.
![Story Behind the Science: Pendulum Motion [Pdf] Article](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Story Behind the Science: Pendulum Motion [Pdf] Article")
Story Behind the Science
Story Behind the Science: Pendulum Motion [Pdf]
The history of the pendulum and its importance both in timekeeping, and in how timekeeping was used to solve other problems, such as determining longitude on a map.
Story Behind the Science
Story Behind the Science: Pendulum Motion, Time, and Shape of Earth [Pdf]
Article outlining the scientific history behind the evolution of theories about measuring time based on the movement of a pendulum, and about how gravity would impact a pendulum's movement depending on one's proximity to the Earth's...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Swing Low: Investigate the Motion of a Pendulum
Kids love to ride the swings at the playground. The back-and-forth motion of a swing demonstrates the physics of a pendulum. In this experiment, you will investigate the factors that affect the speed and duration of a pendulum's swing.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Pendulum Lab
Manipulate the mass of a weight and the length of string in this interactive pendulum simulation. Change the speed, friction, and gravity to make the pendulum swing change as measurements are displayed on the screen. Younger students can...
Rice University
Rice University: Galileo's Pendulum Experiments
This site from The Galileo Project of the Rice University provides a great look into the pendulum experimens of Galileo. Contains first-hand writings and examples of experiments along with links to additional information.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Double Pendulum Poincare Map
A double pendulum model where the angles and angular velocities can be manipulated and the effects observed.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Pendulum Energy Model
A simulation exploring the energy produced by a simple pendulum, written for middle school. Includes a lesson plan with accompanying worksheets.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Double Pendulum Phase Space Model
Adjust to conditions of a double pendulum model and observe the results in an accompanying graph.
Science Museum, London
Science Museum: Online Stuff: Huygens' Clocks
Find out about Christiaan Huygens who built the world's first pendulum clock in 1656. The pendulum clock became the most accurate clock in the world for nearly 300 years.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Science of Swinging
Students learn what a pendulum is and how it works in the context of amusement park rides. While exploring the physics of pendulums, they are also introduced to Newton's first law of motion - about continuous motion and inertia.